Concentric rotatable rings having ornament support structure

ABSTRACT

Jewelry ring assemblies configured to mount one or more ornaments via one or more ring assembly elements retaining a rotatable ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of international application no.PCT/US2009/52597 filed Aug. 8, 2009 which claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/115,435,filed Nov. 17, 2008, both of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety, inclusive of all appendices, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to jewelry ring assemblies andparticularly to mounting ornaments via a ring assembly element retaininga rotatable ring.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,117 to Ofiesh, II, discloses a base ring having anannular channel retaining a rotatable ring. U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,392 toWiriath et al. discloses circular pieces of jewelry having a rotatingouter band. U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,843 to Nagano discloses an outer ringhaving ornaments and magnets rotatably engaging an inner ring havingmagnets. U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,428 to Pasquetti discloses an annular pieceof jewelry particularly a ring or a bracelet having an outer rotarycrown.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention include a first element having anannular inner surface with an inner diameter, an axial width, and afirst peripheral edge, i.e., a first rim, and a second peripheral edge,i.e., a second rim, together with a base portion of the first element,defining a peripheral annular groove, or peripheral annular channel,having an outer diameter defined by the base portion of the channel. Theexemplary embodiments further include a second, substantially annularelement, having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of theperipheral annular groove of the first element and an axial widthsmaller than the axial width of the first annular element. The secondannular element may be laterally retained by the peripheral channel anddisposed coaxially about, and substantially coplanar with, the firstelement. The second annular element may be disjoined, disposed about thefirst element, and then joined to itself via, for example, soldering theend portions together. The first element may comprise two portions, eachportion comprising a portion of the peripheral channel, and the secondannular element may be disposed between the two portions.

The exemplary embodiments further include an ornament support structurecomprising: (a) a first ornament support structural element attached toa portion of the first peripheral edge of the first annular element andmay extend in a substantially radial direction beyond the outer diameterof the second annular element and (b) a second ornament supportstructural element attached to a portion of the second peripheral edgeof the first annular element proximate to the attached second ornamentalsupport structural element, and may extend in a substantially radialdirection beyond the outer diameter of the second annular element. Anornament and/or an ornament collar that may engage the first ornamentsupport structural element and the second ornament support structure toestablish structural continuity of the first and second ornament supportstructural elements and the first annular element about the secondannular element rotatably positioned about the first annular elementparticularly when assembled.

Additional articles of jewelry embodiments of the invention maycomprise:

(a) a first element having an inner diameter defining an aperture, thefirst element comprising an annular peripheral channel comprising a basehaving an outer diameter, the base, having a width, interposed between afirst peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion; and (b) asecond annular element, having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, andan axial width smaller than the width of the annular peripheral base,the second annular element laterally retained by the peripheral channeland disposed coaxially about, and substantially coplanar with, the firstelement; wherein the first element further comprises an ornament supportstructure comprising a first ornament support structural elementattached to at least one of: (1) a portion of a first peripheral rim and(2) a portion of the first peripheral portion of the first element, andwhere the ornament support structure extends in a substantially radialdirection beyond the outer diameter of the second annular element. Theornament support structure may further comprise a second ornamentsupport structural element attached to at least one of: a portion of asecond peripheral rim and a portion of the second peripheral portion ofthe first element proximate to the attached second ornamental supportstructural element, and extending in a substantially radial directionbeyond the outer diameter of the second annular element, wherein thesecond annular element is interposed between the first ornament supportstructural element and the second ornament support structural element. Adistal portion of the first ornament structure may be adapted to receivea first portion of the traversing structural element and a distalportion of the second ornament structure may be adapted to receive asecond portion of the traversing structural element and a rotatablemember may be disposed about the traversing structural member.

Additional embodiments of the invention include (a) a first annularelement having a base and first wall of a peripheral annular groove andan annular lip; (b) a second annular element, having an inner diameterlarger than the outer diameter of the peripheral annular groove of thefirst element; (c) a third annular element comprising a second wall ofthe peripheral annular grove and an inner annular surface having aninner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the annular lip, and awidth substantially the same, or less, than the width of the annularlip. Accordingly, the first annular lip may be soldered, glued, orotherwise fixedly attached to the inner annular surface of the thirdannular element. Alternative or additional attachment may be effectedfor embodiments having bezels where the bezel of the first annularelement may be fixedly attached to the extending support structure ofthe third annular element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of exampleand not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is front view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of an exemplary collar or girdle of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B is a side view of an exemplary collar or girdle of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6C is a plan view of an exemplary collar or girdle of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6D is side view of an exemplary collar or girdle of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a peripheral channel;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of another exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional side view of another exemplarycollar or girdle showing a plan form of a gem stone of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of thisinvention having an internal circular aperture;

FIG. 17 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 18-22 are top-side-perspective, partial cross-sectional views ofvarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having peripheral ornamentation;

FIG. 24 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a peripheral channel;

FIG. 25 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 29 is a cross sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 30 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a first element, peripheral channel, and second annularchannel;

FIG. 32 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a first element, peripheral channel, and secondannular channel;

FIG. 33 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a first element, peripheral channel, second annularchannel, and ornamental support structures;

FIG. 34 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 35 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 36 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a first element, peripheral channel, and second annularchannel;

FIG. 37 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a first element, peripheral channel, and secondannular channel;

FIG. 38 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a first element, peripheral channel, second annularchannel, and ornamental support structures;

FIG. 39 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a first element, peripheral channel, and second annularchannel;

FIG. 40 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a first element, peripheral channel, and secondannular channel;

FIG. 41 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a first element, peripheral channel, second annularchannel, and ornamental support structures;

FIG. 42 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having a peripheral channel;

FIG. 43 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 44 is a partial top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 45 is a partial top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 46 is a top, side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 47 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 48 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 49 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 50 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 51 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 52 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 53 is a cross sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 54 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 55 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 56 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 57 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 58 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 59 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 60 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 61 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 62 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention having peripheral ornamentation;

FIG. 63 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 64 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 65 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 66 is a partial cross sectional side view of an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 67 is a partial cross sectional top view of an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 68 is an exploded top view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 69 is an exploded side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 70 is an exploded top view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 71 is an exploded side view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates in a side view an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, a jewelry ring assembly 100, where a first element110, having an annular channel, rotatably retains a second,substantially annular, element 120, where the first element 110 and thesecond annular element 120 may rotate relative to one another. Alsoshown in FIG. 1A is a first ornament support structure 130 extendingfrom a first peripheral rim or first peripheral edge 111 of the firstelement 110 and a second ornament support structure 140 extending from asecond peripheral edge 112 of the first element 110. The first ornamentsupport structure 130 is shown in this embodiment as having a notch 131and the second support 140 is shown in this embodiment as having a notch141. The annular channel may be arcuate to accommodate the toroidalaspects of a ring such as a wedding ring. The second element may have araised outside diameter projecting the raised portion of the secondelement beyond the outer extent of the first element. The first andsecond ornament support structures 130, 140 may be part of a moldincluding the first element 110 or may be soldered or otherwise fixedlyattached to the first element 110. The first and second ornament supportstructures 130, 140 may each extend from a portion of a respective rimof the first element 110 or an edge of the respective peripheral edge111 of the first element 110 or a combination of both. FIG. 1Billustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment where the first andsecond ornament support structures 130, 140 extend from a portion of arespective rim 113, 114 of the first element 110. In some embodiments,in addition to notches 131, 141 or in place of notches, the first andsecond ornament support structures 130, 140 may have curvilinearopposing inner faces to receive and retain an ornament. In someembodiments, in addition to notches 131, 141 or in place of notches, thefirst and second ornament support structures 130, 140 may have slots orother apertures or surfaces adapted to receive portions of the collaraffixed to the ornament. Fixedly attaching the ornament having collaraffixed to the first and second ornament support structures 130, 140 maybe accomplished via soldering.

FIG. 2 illustrates in a front view an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention where the second annular element 120 is retainedwithin, and, in this view of this embodiment, occluded by the axialwidth of the first element 110. Also shown is the first ornament supportstructure 130 extending from the first peripheral edge 111.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 showing in cross-section thefirst element 110 having the first ornament support structure 130 andthe second ornament support structure 140 and a circular aperture 102(as seen in FIG. 2). The edges of the circular aperture 102 may bemachined or otherwise shaped or molded, to be rounded edges to enhancefinger comfort. The notch 131 of the first ornament support structure130 is shown in this embodiment having more depth in cross-section thanin the whole (solid) side view of FIG. 2. Likewise, the notch 141 of thesecond support 140 is shown in this embodiment having more depth incross-section that in the side view of the whole exemplary article ofFIG. 2. The increased depth of a notch in cross-section illustrates theresult of an exemplary arcuate transverse cut of an ornament supportstructure 130, 140 to produce a notch of varying depth. The secondannular element 120 appears in two pieces in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3 retained within a peripheral channel 115 formed by the peripheralportions, i.e., the rims, of the first element 110.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A showing in cross-section thesecond annular element 120 rotatably disposed about the first element110. FIG. 4 also shows the second ornament support structure 140including a view of its notch 141.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1Awhere the second annular element 120 is shown retained by portions ofthe first element 110, and where the dashed lines of the first ornamentsupport structure 130 and the second ornament support structure 140indicate exemplary arcuate transverse cuts producing the inward extentof each of the two notches 131, 141 into their respective supportstructure 130, 140. The exemplary embodiment includes a traversingstructural element, i.e., an element that engages the first ornamentsupport structure 130 and the second ornament support structure 140while allowing the rotation of the second annular element 120, whileretained by portions of the first element 110. Examples of thetraversing structural element include an ornamental structural object,such as a stone and may include an ornament collar. Accordingly, in someembodiments of the present invention, an ornament may be secured via anornament collar and the collar may be detachably or fixedly attached tothe first ornament support structure 130 and the second ornament supportstructure 140.

FIG. 6A illustrates in plan view an ornament girdle or collar 610 thatis oval-shaped, i.e., having a long planar axis and a short planar axis.For example, the short planar axis may be selected to traverse thedistance between the two ornament support structures 130, 140 and engagethe notches 131, 141 (see FIG. 1A). FIG. 6B illustrates in a side viewthe ornament collar 610 along a planar axis 611. In this example, theornament collar 610 is shown as two frustro-conical portions having acommon base portion. The extent of the common base portion may engagethe notches 131, 141 of the ornament support structures. FIG. 6Cillustrates in a plan view another exemplary ornament collar 620 havingsimilar short and long axes as in FIG. 6A reversed by providing the longaxis with sufficient extent to traverse the distance between theornament support structures 130, 140 and engage their respectivenotches. FIG. 6C also illustrates the ornament collar affixed to anornament 621, e.g., a stone. FIG. 6D illustrates in side view anornament collar 640 affixed to an ornament 650.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary ornament collar 610 engaging the notches131, 141 of the ornament support structures 130, 140 of an embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary ornament collar 640affixed to an ornament 650, e.g., a stone, and illustrates the ornamentcollar 640 engaging the notches 131, 141 of the ornament supportstructures 130, 140 of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8illustrates by the double-headed arrow 810 that the second annularelement 120 while retained by portions 811, 812 of the first element110, may rotate about the first element 110 proximate to a mounted stone650 fixed relative to the first element 110 by way of an ornament collar640 engaging notches 131, 141 of ornament support structures 130, 140.FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of an ornament collar 620 having a longaxis traversing the ornament support structures 130, 140 and affixed toan ornament 621, e.g., a mounted stone. FIG. 10 illustrates a top viewof an ornament collar 610 having a long axis traversing the ornamentsupport structures 130, 140 and affixed to an ornament 640, e.g., amounted stone.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the first element 110 having the peripheralchannel 170 in which the first and second ornament support structures130, 140 may be of a cast metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, theperipheral channel 170 may be machined into the first element 110. Lessdurable embodiments of first and second annular elements 120, 110 may beplastics via injection molding. The second annular element 120 may becast as a ring having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameterof the peripheral channel 170, and subsequently cut, as seen in FIG. 13,positioned about the first element 110, and the previously cut endsrejoined to reform the ring by soldering, for example.

FIG. 14 illustrates in side view an ornament collar, bezel, or girdle440 affixed to an ornament 410, i.e., a gemstone. FIG. 15 illustratesthe cross sectional view of an example of a second annular element 120without an internal circular aperture. FIG. 16 illustrates the crosssectional view of an example of a second annular element 120 with aninternal circular aperture 430.

FIG. 17 illustrates in side view another exemplary embodiment of thisinvention in which the first element 110 having first and secondornament support structures 130, 140 where the bezel and/or girdle 440may engage the ornament support structures 130, 140 from the rims of thegrooved or channeled ring—a distance that is sufficient to allow forunobstructed rotation of the retained ring 450 about the channeled ring110. That is, the point of the cut gemstone of this exemplary embodimentmay be mounted above, but its point 450 not touching the rotatableretained ring 450.

In the previously described exemplary embodiments, the first element maybe of various shapes so long as it has a circular aperture and anannular peripheral channel and still be within the scope of theinvention. Also, the first ornament support structure 130 and the secondornament support structure 140 may be posts arched bridges or otherstructural elements, for example, as illustrated intop-side-perspective, partial cross-sectional views of FIGS. 18-22.

FIG. 23 shows in a side view, an example of an ornamental second annularelement 480. FIG. 24 illustrates the first element 110 having theperipheral channel 460 with first and second ornament support structures130, 140 where the bezel and/or girdle 470 may engage the ornamentsupport structures at a distance distal from the rims of the grooved orchanneled ring, in this example. FIG. 25 shows an exemplary embodimentof an ornamental second annular element 480 in the peripheral channel orgroove of the first element 110, for this example. FIG. 26 shows anotherexemplary embodiment of the invention having a three-dimensional bezel500 as a support structure for the gemstone in this example. FIG. 27illustrates a front view of another exemplary embodiment having athree-dimensional bezel 510 as a support structure for the gemstone forthis example.

FIG. 28 shows another exemplary embodiment of the invention in which thefirst element 110 has first and second ornament support structures 520,530 attached which each support the gemstone via a notch 521, 531without a bezel and/or girdle, for this example. FIG. 29 shows the crosssectional side view of the first element 110 having a peripheral channel560 for an exemplary embodiment of this invention. FIG. 30 illustrates atop view of an ornament collar 540 having a long axis traversing theornament support structures 520,530 and affixed to an ornament 550,e.g., a mounted stone.

FIG. 31 shows the aligning of the first element 700 having a peripheralchannel 720 with a second annular element of 710 via directional arrows730, for this example. The second annular element 701 may be severed(disjoined) and rejoined once about the first element 700.Alternatively, the first element may comprise two portions where thefirst portion 701 caps and is fixed to second portion 702 after thesecond annular element 710 is disposed about the peripheral channel 720of the second portion 702. FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary embodimentof this invention showing the completed assembly of the ornamentalsecond annular element 710 placed in the first element 740 having aperipheral channel 720, for this example. Thereafter, ornament supportstructures may be attached. FIG. 33 shows another exemplary embodimentin which ornament support structures 750, 760 are attached to the firstelement 740 to hold a mounted stone or gemstone in place, for thisexample. FIG. 34 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodimentshowing the completed assembly of the ornamental second annular element710 placed in the first element 740 having a peripheral channel 720, forthis example. Thereafter, ornament support structure may be attached.FIG. 35 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment in which ornamentsupport structures 770, 780 are attached to the first element 740 tohold a mounted stone or gemstone in place without a collar, girdle, orbezel, for this example.

FIG. 36 shows the aligning, similar to FIG. 31, of the first element 800having a peripheral channel 820 with a second annular element 810 viadirectional lines 830, for this example. FIG. 37 illustrates anexemplary embodiment of this invention showing the completed assembly ofthe second annular element placed in the first element 840 having aperipheral channel 820, for this example. Thereafter, the ornamentsupport structure may be attached. FIG. 38 shows another exemplaryembodiment in which ornament support structures 850, 860 are attached tothe first element 840 to hold a mounted stone or gemstone in place, forthis example.

FIG. 39 shows the aligning of the first element 900 having a peripheralchannel 920 with a second annular element of 910 via directional lines930, for this example. FIG. 40 illustrates an exemplary embodiment ofthis invention showing the completed assembly of the second annularelement 910 placed in the first element 900 having a peripheral channel,for this example. Thereafter, the ornament support structures may beattached. FIG. 41 shows another exemplary embodiment in which ornamentsupport structures 950, 960 are attached to the first element 900 via acollar, and/or girdle, and/or bezel 970 to hold a mounted stone orgemstone in place, for this example.

FIG. 42 illustrates, in a top-side-perspective partial cross-sectionalview, an exemplary embodiment of this invention having a first element200 with a peripheral channel 210, for this example. FIG. 43 shows in atop-side-perspective partial cross-sectional view, an exemplaryembodiment of an ornamental second annular element 220 in the peripheralchannel 210 or groove of the first element 200, for this example

FIG. 44 shows a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in whichornament support structures 310, 320 are attached to the first element300 to hold or otherwise retain a mounted stone or gemstone in placewithout a collar, girdle, or bezel, for this example. FIG. 45 shows atop view of an exemplary embodiment in which ornamental ornament supportstructures 330, 340 are attached to the first element 300 to hold orotherwise retain a mounted stone or gemstone in place without a collar,girdle, or bezel, for this example. FIG. 46 shows a top view of anexemplary embodiment in which ornament support structures 350, 360 areattached to the first element 300 to hold or otherwise retain a mountedstone or gemstone in place without a collar, girdle, or bezel, for thisexample. FIG. 47 shows a top-side-perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment in which ornament support structures 370, 380 are attached tothe first element 300 to hold or otherwise retain a mounted stone orgemstone in place with a collar, and/or girdle, and/or bezel 390, forthis example. FIG. 48 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment inwhich ornament support structures 380 are attached to the first element300 to hold a mounted stone or gemstone in place with a collar, and/orgirdle, and/or bezel 390, for this example.

FIG. 49 shows the aligning, similar to FIG. 31, of the first element1000 having a peripheral channel 1020 with a second annular element of1010 via directional lines 1030, for this example. FIG. 50 shows anotherexemplary embodiment in which ornament support structures 1050, 1060,1070 are attached to the first element 1040 to hold a mounted stone orgemstone in place, via a collar, and/or girdle, and/or bezel 1080, forthis example. FIG. 51 shows a top-side-perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment in which ornament support structures 1050, 1060, 1070, 1075are attached to the first element 1040 to hold a mounted stone orgemstone in place without a collar, girdle, or bezel, for this example.FIG. 52 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment in which ornamentsupport structures 1050, 1060, and 1070 are attached to the firstelement 1040 to hold or otherwise retain a mounted stone or gemstone inplace, with a collar, girdle, or bezel, 1080 for this example.

FIG. 53 illustrates in cross section the side view of an exemplaryembodiment of this invention showing a three-dimensional bezel 1110 as asupport structure attached to the first element 1100 to hold orotherwise retain a mounted stone or gemstone 1115 in place, for thisexample. FIG. 54 shows an example of an ornamental second annularelement 1120 for an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 55 illustrates aside view of an exemplary embodiment showing the completed assemblycomprising an ornamental second annular element 1120, and athree-dimensional bezel 1110 as a support structure attached to thefirst element 1100 to hold or otherwise retain a mounted stone orgemstone 1115 in place, for this example. FIG. 56 shows a top view of anexemplary embodiment of the invention having a three-dimensional (e.g.,a square-shaped and legged) bezel 1110 as a support structure for thegemstone 1115 in this example. FIGS. 57-60 show various embodiments ofornamental second annular elements 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 for thisinvention. First and second annular element embodiments may be made ofmetals, metal alloys, plastics or other materials that allow for moldingand shaping. First and second annular element embodiments may beornamented with stones, or gemstones, smooth, patterned, or textured andstill fall within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 61 illustrates in side view another exemplary embodiment of theinvention in which the first element 600 having first and secondornament support structures 610, 620 which encompass an axle such as ametal, metal alloy or plastic rod, positioned according to the alignmentreference 630 and which may be inserted or otherwise through the centerof a pierced solid or hollow sphere 650 as an example of a rotatableelement positioned about a traversing element, e.g., the rod 631 asshown in FIG. 66. The rotatable element, e.g., the sphere 650, may bedisposed in a position sufficient to allow for unobstructed rotation ofboth the retained ring 640 about the channeled ring 600 and the sphere650. The sphere 650 may be smooth, ornamented, or bejeweled in theseexemplary embodiments, and is shown in FIG. 61 mounted above, but notcontacting, the rotatable retained ring 640 for this invention

FIGS. 62-64 depict various embodiments of ornamental second annularelements 700, 710, 720 that may be used in place of the retained ring640 of FIG. 61.

FIG. 65 shows an exemplary embodiment, in a perspective cross-sectionalview, having an ornamental second annular element 640 in the peripheralchannel or groove of the first element 600, for this example.

FIG. 66 illustrates in a side view and partial cross-section, anexemplary embodiment of this invention in which the first element 600having first and second ornament support structures 610, 620 whichencompass an axle, such as a metal, metal alloy or plastic rod 631,colinear with the alignment reference 630, where the rod 631 is showndisposed through the center of an exemplary bejeweled hollow sphere 651.

FIG. 67 shows in a side view and partial cross-section, an exemplaryembodiment of an ornamental second annular element 640 in the peripheralchannel or groove of the first element 600 in which the hollow sphere651 is shown in a partial cross-section with the rod 631 through thecenter to allow for an axis of rotation for the rotatable element, i.e.,the sphere 651 of this example.

FIGS. 68 and 69 show, in exploded perspective and side viewsrespectively, the aligning, or assembly 1250, of the first annularelement 1200, having a three-dimensional (e.g., a square-shaped andlegged) bezel 1260 and peripheral channel 1210, with a second annularelement 1220 via directional lines 1230 and a third annular element1240, which may be soldered, glued or otherwise fixedly attached to thefirst annular element 1200 and the three-dimensional bezel 1260 to allowfor rotation of the second annular element 1220 about the peripheralchannel 1210 of the joined first annular element 1200 once joined to thethird annular element 1240 of this example. In addition, the innersurface 1265 of the third annular element 1240 may be fixedly attachedto the lip 1215 of the first annular element 1200.

FIGS. 70 and 71 show, in exploded perspective and side viewsrespectively, the aligning, or assembly, 1390 of the first annularelement 1300, having a first ornament support structure 1370 andperipheral channel 1310, with a second annular element 1320 viadirectional lines 1330 and the third annular element 1340, having asecond ornament support structure 1380. The inner surface 1360 of thethird annular element 1340 may be fixedly attached to the lip 1350 ofthe first annular element 1300, e.g., via glue or solder. First orsecond annular element embodiments and ornament support structures maybe made of metal, metal alloys, plastics, and or ceramics.

Embodiments of the invention described herein are understood asillustrative of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art willalso appreciate that the elements and functions described herein may befurther subdivided, combined, and/or varied and yet still be in thespirit of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that various features and aspects of the disclosedembodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in orderto form varying modes of the disclosed invention.

1. An article of jewelry comprising: a first element having an innerdiameter defining an aperture, the first element comprising an annularperipheral channel comprising a base having an outer diameter, the base,having a width, interposed between a first peripheral portion and asecond peripheral portion; and a second annular element, having an innerdiameter, an outer diameter, and an axial width smaller than the widthof the annular peripheral base, the second annular element laterallyretained by the peripheral channel and disposed coaxially about, andsubstantially coplanar with, the first element; wherein the firstelement further comprises an ornament support structure comprising: afirst ornament support structural element attached to at least one of: aportion of a first peripheral rim and a portion of the first peripheralportion of the first element, and extending in a substantially radialdirection beyond the outer diameter of the second annular element. 2.The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein the first peripheral portionof the first element is a first peripheral edge and the secondperipheral portion of the first peripheral element is a secondperipheral edge.
 3. The article of jewelry of claim 1 wherein theornament support structure further comprises a second ornament supportstructural element attached to at least one of: a portion of a secondperipheral rim and a portion of the second peripheral portion of thefirst element proximate to the attached second ornamental supportstructural element, and extending in a substantially radial directionbeyond the outer diameter of the second annular element, wherein thesecond annular element is interposed between the first ornament supportstructural element and the second ornament support structural element.4. The article of jewelry of claim 3 further comprising a traversingstructural element engaging a portion of the first ornament supportstructural element distal from the first peripheral portion and engaginga portion of the second ornament support structural element distal fromthe second peripheral portion.
 5. The article of jewelry of claim 3wherein the first peripheral portion of the first element is a firstperipheral edge and the second peripheral portion of the secondperipheral element is a second peripheral edge.
 6. The article ofjewelry of claim 5 further comprising a traversing structural elementengaging a portion of the first ornament support structural element,distal from the first peripheral edge, and engaging a portion of thesecond ornament support structural element distal from the secondperipheral edge.
 7. The article of jewelry of claim 3 wherein a distalportion of the first ornament structure is adapted to receive a firstportion of the traversing structural element and a distal portion of thesecond ornament structure is adapted to receive a second portion of thetraversing structural element.
 8. The article of jewelry of claim 3wherein a distal portion of the first ornament structure is adapted toreceive a first portion of the traversing structural element and adistal portion of the second ornament structure is adapted to receive asecond portion of the traversing structural element and a rotatablemember is disposed about the traversing structural member.